A retrospective report (2003-2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia.
Abstract: The mortality rate of horses undergoing general anaesthesia is high when compared to humans or small animal patients. One of the most critical periods during equine anaesthesia is recovery, as the horse attempts to regain a standing position. This study was performed in a private equine practice in Belgium that uses a purpose-designed one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system to assist the horse during the standing process.The main purpose of the retrospective study was to report and analyse complications and the mortality rate in horses during recovery from anaesthesia using the described recovery system. Information retrieved from the medical records included patient signalment, anaesthetic protocol, duration of anaesthesia, ASA grade, type of surgery, recovery time and complications during recovery. Sedation was administered to all horses prior to recovery with the rope system. Complications were divided into major complications in which the horse was euthanized and minor complications where the horse survived. Major complications were further subdivided into those where the rope system did not contribute to the recovery complication (Group 1) and those where it was not possible to determine if the rope system was of any benefit (Group 2). Results: Five thousand eight hundred fifty two horses recovered from general anaesthesia with rope assistance. Complications were identified in 30 (0.51%). Major complications occurred in 12 horses (0.20%) of which three (0.05%) were assigned to Group 1 and nine (0.15%) to Group 2. Three horses in Group 2 suffered musculoskeletal injuries (0.05%). Eighteen horses (0.31%) suffered minor complications, of which five (0.08%) were categorised as failures of the recovery system. Conclusions: This study reports the major and minor complication and mortality rate during recovery from anaesthesia using a specific type of rope recovery system. Mortality associated with the rope recovery system was low. During recovery from anaesthesia this rope system may reduce the risk of lethal complications, particularly major orthopaedic injuries.
Publication Date: 2018-02-13 PubMed ID: 29456834PubMed Central: PMC5810068DOI: 10.1186/s13620-018-0117-1Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This study examines the complications and mortality rate in horses during recovery from anaesthesia using a rope recovery system. It found that the rate of serious complications and deaths was low, suggesting that the rope system could be useful in preventing major injuries during recovery.
Study Background
- The research focuses on the recovery period for horses after general anaesthesia, which is identified as a critical phase because horses attempt to regain their standing position during this period.
- Due to the riskiness of the recovery period, the study involved a purpose-designed one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system used to aid horses in regaining their standing position.
- The study was conducted in a private equine practice in Belgium over a 10-year period from 2003 to 2013.
Study Methodology
- Data collected included patient information, anaesthetic protocol, duration of anesthesia, ASA grade, type of surgery, recovery time, and complications during recovery.
- All horses were sedated prior to recovery using the rope system.
- The complications experienced during recovery were categorized into major and minor complications.
- Major complications led to animals being euthanized and were further divided into two groups; those where the rope system did not contribute to the recovery complication (Group 1) and those where it was not possible to determine if the rope system offered any benefits (Group 2).
Study Findings
- A total of 5,852 horses underwent recovery from general anaesthesia with the assistance of the rope recovery system. Complications were identified in 30 horses, representing 0.51% of the total.
- Of these, major complications occurred in 12 horses (0.20%), three of which were in Group 1 and nine in Group 2. Three horses in Group 2 suffered musculoskeletal injuries (0.05%).
- Minor complications occurred in 18 horses (0.31%), five of which were considered to be failures of the rope recovery system.
Study Conclusions
- The study provides valuable insight into the complications and mortality rate in horses during recovery from anaesthesia when a specific type of rope recovery system is used.
- Both the major and minor complication rate and the mortality rate associated with the rope recovery system were found to be low.
- The conclusions of the study suggest that using the rope recovery system may reduce the risk of serious complications, particularly major orthopedic injuries, during the recovery phase post-anaesthesia in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Niimura Del Barrio MC, David F, Hughes JML, Clifford D, Wilderjans H, Bennett R.
(2018).
A retrospective report (2003-2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia.
Ir Vet J, 71, 6.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-018-0117-1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1UCD Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland.
- 2Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Al Shaqab- a member of Qatar Foundation, PO Box 90005, Al Shaqab Street, Al Rayyan, Doha, Qatar.
- 1UCD Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland.
- 1UCD Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 Ireland.
- Dierenkliniek De Bosdreef, Spelonckvaart 46, 9180 Moerbeke-Waas, Belgium.
- The Granary, Bunstead Barns, Poles Ln, Hursley, Winchester, SO21 2LL UK.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Not applicableNot applicableHW designed the rope recovery system which is in use at the clinic. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
References
This article includes 28 references
- Johnston GM, Taylor PM, Holmes MA, Wood JL. Confidential enquiry of perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF-1): preliminary results.. Equine Vet J 1995 May;27(3):193-200.
- Johnston GM, Eastment JK, Wood J, Taylor PM. The confidential enquiry into perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF): mortality results of Phases 1 and 2.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2002 Oct;29(4):159-170.
- Brodbelt DC, Blissitt KJ, Hammond RA, Neath PJ, Young LE, Pfeiffer DU, Wood JL. The risk of death: the confidential enquiry into perioperative small animal fatalities.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2008 Sep;35(5):365-73.
- Lunn JN, Mushin WW. Mortality associated with anesthesia.. Anaesthesia 1982 Aug;37(8):856.
- Pascoe PJ, McDonell WN, Trim CM, Van Gorder J. Mortality rates and associated factors in equine colic operations - a retrospective study of 341 operations.. Can Vet J 1983 Mar;24(3):76-85.
- Bidwell LA, Bramlage LR, Rood WA. Equine perioperative fatalities associated with general anaesthesia at a private practice--a retrospective case series.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2007 Jan;34(1):23-30.
- Young SS, Taylor PM. Factors influencing the outcome of equine anaesthesia: a review of 1,314 cases.. Equine Vet J 1993 Mar;25(2):147-51.
- Dugdale AH, Obhrai J, Cripps PJ. Twenty years later: a single-centre, repeat retrospective analysis of equine perioperative mortality and investigation of recovery quality.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2016 Mar;43(2):171-8.
- Santos M, Fuente M, Garcia-Iturralde R, Herran R, Lopez-Sanroman J, Tendillo FJ. Effects of alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists during recovery from isoflurane anaesthesia in horses.. Equine Vet J 2003 Mar;35(2):170-5.
- Woodhouse KJ, Brosnan RJ, Nguyen KQ, Moniz GW, Galuppo LD. Effects of postanesthetic sedation with romifidine or xylazine on quality of recovery from isoflurane anesthesia in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013 Feb 15;242(4):533-9.
- Steffey EP, Mama KR, Brosnan RJ, Imai A, Maxwell LK, Cole CA, Stanley SD. Effect of administration of propofol and xylazine hydrochloride on recovery of horses after four hours of anesthesia with desflurane.. Am J Vet Res 2009 Aug;70(8):956-63.
- Wagner AE, Mama KR, Steffey EP, Hellyer PW. Evaluation of infusions of xylazine with ketamine or propofol to modulate recovery following sevoflurane anesthesia in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2012 Mar;73(3):346-52.
- Ray-Miller WM, Hodgson DS, McMurphy RM, Chapman PL. Comparison of recoveries from anesthesia of horses placed on a rapidly inflating-deflating air pillow or the floor of a padded stall.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006 Sep 1;229(5):711-6.
- Wilderjans H. Advances in assisted recovery from anaesthesia in horses with fractures. Proceedings of the 12th European Society of Veterinary Orthopaedics and Traumatology Congress Munich; 2004. pp. 201–202.
- Taylor EL, Galuppo LD, Steffey EP, Scarlett CC, Madigan JE. Use of the Anderson Sling suspension system for recovery of horses from general anesthesia.. Vet Surg 2005 Nov-Dec;34(6):559-64.
- Elmas CR, Cruz AM, Kerr CL. Tilt table recovery of horses after orthopedic surgery: fifty-four cases (1994-2005).. Vet Surg 2007 Apr;36(3):252-8.
- Tidwell SA, Schneider RK, Ragle CA, Weil AB, Richter MC. Use of a hydro-pool system to recover horses after general anesthesia: 60 cases.. Vet Surg 2002 Sep-Oct;31(5):455-61.
- Sullivan EK, Klein LV, Richardson DW, Ross MW, Orsini JA, Nunamaker DM. Use of a pool-raft system for recovery of horses from general anesthesia: 393 horses (1984-2000).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002 Oct 1;221(7):1014-8.
- Ireland JL, Clegg PD, McGowan CM, Platt L, Pinchbeck GL. Factors associated with mortality of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom.. Prev Vet Med 2011 Sep 1;101(3-4):204-18.
- Glade MJ. Effects of gestation, lactation, and maternal calcium intake on mechanical strength of equine bone.. J Am Coll Nutr 1993 Aug;12(4):372-7.
- Cheon H, Choi W, Lee Y, Lee D, Kim J, Kang JH, Na K, Chang J, Chang D. Assessment of trabecular bone mineral density using quantitative computed tomography in normal cats.. J Vet Med Sci 2012 Nov;74(11):1461-7.
- Whitehair KJ, Steffey EP, Willits NH, Woliner MJ. Recovery of horses from inhalation anesthesia.. Am J Vet Res 1993 Oct;54(10):1693-702.
- Leece EA, Corletto F, Brearley JC. A comparison of recovery times and characteristics with sevoflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2008 Sep;35(5):383-91.
- Wilson DV, Bohart GV, Evans AT, Robertson S, Rondenay Y. Retrospective analysis of detomidine infusion for standing chemical restraint in 51 horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2002 Jan;29(1):54-57.
- Parviainen AK, Trim CM. Complications associated with anaesthesia for ocular surgery: a retrospective study 1989-1996.. Equine Vet J 2000 Nov;32(6):555-9.
- Steffey EP, Pascoe PJ, Woliner MJ, Berryman ER. Effects of xylazine hydrochloride during isoflurane-induced anesthesia in horses.. Am J Vet Res 2000 Oct;61(10):1225-31.
- Steffey EP, Pascoe PJ. Detomidine reduces isoflurane anesthetic requirement (MAC) in horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2002 Oct;29(4):223-227.
- Niimura Del Barrio MC, Bennett RC, Hughes JML. Effect of detomidine or romifidine constant rate infusion on plasma lactate concentration and inhalant requirements during isoflurane anaesthesia in horses.. Vet Anaesth Analg 2017 May;44(3):473-482.
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Abass M, Ibrahim H, Salci H, Hamed MA. Evaluation of the effect of different sedative doses of dexmedetomidine on the intestinal motility in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus). BMC Vet Res 2022 Jul 14;18(1):274.
- Johnson JP, Vinardell T, David F. Ultrasound-guided injections of the equine head and neck: review and expert opinion. J Equine Sci 2021 Dec;32(4):103-115.
- Gozalo-Marcilla M, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Johnston M, Taylor PM, Redondo JI. Data Collection for the Fourth Multicentre Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF4) Study: New Technology and Preliminary Results. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 30;11(9).
- Gozalo-Marcilla M, Ringer SK. Recovery after General Anaesthesia in Adult Horses: A Structured Summary of the Literature. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 14;11(6).
- Portier K, Ida KK. The ASA Physical Status Classification: What Is the Evidence for Recommending Its Use in Veterinary Anesthesia?-A Systematic Review. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:204.
- Sato S, Kanno C, Matsuura A, Maeda Y, Takahashi F. Evaluation of the cardiorespiratory and antinociceptive effects of the total intravenous anesthesia technique with xylazine-butorphanol-propofol compared to isoflurane in calves under experimental laparotomy. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1688448.
- Quinn CT. Incidence of complications from perioperative urinary catheterisation in horses. Aust Vet J 2025 Jun;103(6):319-321.
- Brumund L, Wittenberg-Voges L, Rohn K, Kästner SBR. Risk assessment in equine anesthesia: a first evaluation of the usability, utility and predictivity of the two-part CHARIOT. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1384525.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
